The Dojo And Its Philosophy

DO (way) JO (place of)

In Peter Freedman's school of Ketsugo Jujutsu, the martial arts are taught with humor and fun in a relaxed environment.  Everyone who participates is encouraged to ask questions and make mistakes since that is the best way to learn.

In the dojo the Freedman Method  begins by learning to apply universal principles on a physical level to develop practical self-defense skills at a rapid pace.  The process deepens upon learning to apply these same principles on a mental level in verbal arguments and when negotiating and dealing with others.  The applicability essentially becomes endless as one’s creativity and analytical abilities expand.  The universal principles can then be seen virtually everywhere and utilized to excel at any endeavor.  This newly acquired ability to see the world’s inter-connectedness often triggers a profound spiritual experience as students perceive the “oneness”  that binds our entire universe together.  Many of our students routinely say that they feel like children again.  Their eyes have been opened and they are once again children with an insatiable curiosity for learning, exploring, and experiencing life.  The world literally becomes their playground.

Similarly, in the distant past scholars, warriors, and monks did not study martial arts, yoga, herbalism, personal development, healing, and spirituality in isolation.  Rather, they learned complete systems of martial arts that seamlessly integrated their physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual training.  Embracing the power of holistic unity, their martial training became their personal gateway to truth.  With such comprehensive training it was only a matter of time before these martial warriors ultimately realized their highest expression of self and, along the way, befriended many esoteric wonders of the universe.

Following in the footprints of our predecessors, Freedman’s dojo is more than a place to learn self-defense.  It is a school of thought, personal development, and wellness where various subjects are discussed such as anatomy, physiology, nutrition, herbology, health, wilderness survival, physics, history, culture, creativity, compassion, awareness, meditation, energy healing, metaphysics, psychic development, and spirituality.

With that end the exercises performed in Freedman’s practice help develop the body, the mind, and the spirit.  You must develop all three of these components to be a serious disciple of Bujutsu (martial arts).  The ability to deal with various situations in life, including the highly stressful and dangerous ones, cannot be done without all three of these qualities.  They allow you to face your fear and conquer your ego, both of which are your enemies, especially in a violent confrontation.

  In all areas of life attitude and   

  ego can be great hindrances to

  the student of Ketsugo Jujutsu. 

  Keeping your mind open to see

  and keeping your  "cup empty" to

  receive is vital to the process of

  advancement.  Students of other

  martial art schools are invited to

  practice and are asked to share

  their concepts and experience. 

  The school believes that anyone

  can learn from anyone else.  An

  advanced student can learn from a

beginner and vice versa.  From this philosophy comes respect -- respect for your fellow student, for your teacher, for your art, and for humankind.

Realizing that with this lethal knowledge comes great responsibility, the school is grounded with a strong sense of humanity and humility.   At Freedman's dojo a member is not just a student, but, rather a friend whose welfare and well-being is important to each and everyone of us and the school as a whole.  We are all here to help and give back to one another.  We are all here together to grow – to live with an unbridled passion for life.